Current 2025-26 Philadelphia 76ers depth chart after offseason moves

USA Today

3 hours ago

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to move on from a miserable 2024-25 season in which they finished 24-58 in a year where contending for a title was the expectation. Instead, injuries decimated the roster and affected the team's star trio the most.
Joel Embiid was limited to only 19 games. Paul George played 41. Tyrese Maxey played "only" 52. It wasn't just the stars either as Jared McCain was limited to 23 games in his rookie season and other important pieces missed time as well. It was an overall just tough year for the Sixers.
As the attention now turns to 2025-26, the Sixers made moves around the margins in an effort to improve the supporting cast. Assuming they re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes--which is the expectation--here is how the depth chart looks for Philadelphia at the moment:
Point guard
Starter: Tyrese Maxey
Depth: Kyle Lowry, Hunter Sallis (two-way deal)
Maxey is coming off a season where his shooting percentages (43.7% overall and 33.7% from deep) are down from his career norms. Likely due to the fact that defenses loaded up on him to slow down Philadelphia's offensive attack. Assuming the Sixers will have a clean bill of health in 2025-26, Maxey should get back to his All-Star level for Philadelphia.
As far as the depth is concerned, Lowry is back after he played only 35 games in the 2024-25 season. One could assume that this season, his 20th in a Hall of Fame career, could be the final one for him and he could take on more of a mentor role. The rookie Sallis is likely to spend time in the G League playing for the Delaware Blue Coats. McCain can play some minutes here as well.
Shooting guard
Starter: Jared McCain
Depth: VJ Edgecombe, Eric Gordon, Sallis
McCain was on his way to being in the Rookie of the Year race as he averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 38.3% from deep before having to undergo surgery in December to repair a laterally torn meniscus in his left knee. As he prepares for his second season, one can assume he will be the starter due to his shooting ability.
Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is somebody who could eventually take over the starting role, has to improve as a 3-point shooter. It was a tough go at it in the summer league, but he showed off his elite NBA-level athleticism and was able to produce at a high level on the offensive end. Gordon is back to fire up his usual assortment of 3-pointers.
Small forward
Starter: Quentin Grimes (assuming he returns)
Depth: Kelly Oubre Jr., Justin Edwards
Grimes, who remains unsigned, played well for the Sixers after the trade acquisition from the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting 46.9% overall and 37.3% from deep in 28 games. He is currently a restricted free agent and is widely believed to return to Philadelphia. His shooting ability will be important for the Sixers on the offensive end.
Oubre is set to return and give the Sixers a jack of all trades. He can score in isolation, can move off the ball, and make an impact on the defensive end as well as on the glass. He is going to be a key piece, and also could be a tradeable asset. Edwards is entering his second season and will give Philadelphia a 3-and-D option for the bench unit.
Power forward
Starter: Paul George
Depth: Trendon Watford, Jabari Walker (two-way deal)
All eyes will be on George entering the 2025-26 season. Coming off a disappointing first season in Philadelphia in which his offensive numbers were down across the board, the 9-time All-Star was battling injuries while adjusting to a new system and situation. He then had offseason surgery on his left knee so it will be interesting to see how he looks when the new season begins.
Watford and Walker are two players who are expected to give Philadelphia some good production off the bench. Watford is somebody who can give the Sixers a ton of versatility as somebody who can make plays with his passing and an overall versatile player from the big man spot. Walker, a 3-year big man, is on a steal of a two-way deal in Philadelphia. He should be on a standard deal very soon.
Center
Starter: Joel Embiid
Depth: Andre Drummond, Adem Bona, Johni Broome, Dominick Barlow (two-way deal)
Everything begins and ends with Embiid. The health and status of the big fella is going to decide how far Philadelphia goes and that was obvious when he played only 19 games in 2024-25 and the Sixers struggled. He averaged 23.8 points in those 19 games, but shot only 44.4% from the floor, 29.9% from deep, and averaged only 7.8 free throw attempts. Those are not Embiid-like numbers. He has to be 100% healthy for Philadelphia to have a chance at contention.
As for the depth, Drummond was limited to only 40 games due to a bothersome left toe injury and his numbers were down a bit. A healthy Drummond can make a difference for Philadelphia. However, the Sixers should probably do their best to give time to Bona, Broome, and Barlow as Philadelphia begins looking ahead to the future.